The Bramble Briar lyrics

In Bruton Town there lived a farmer

Who had two sons and one daughter dear

By day and night they were contriving

To fill their parents' hearts with fear.

One told his secret to none other

But unto his brother this he said:

I think a servant courts our sister

I think they have a mind to wed.

If he our servant courts our sister

That maid from such a shame I'll save

I'll put an end to all their courtship

And send him silent to his grave.

A day of hunting was prepared

In thorny woods where briars grew

And there they did that young man a-murder

And in the brake his fair body threw.

Now welcome home my dear young brothers

Our servant man is he behind?

We've left him where we've been a-hunting

We've left him where no man can find.

She went to bed crying and lamenting

Lamenting for her own true love

She slept, she dream'd, she saw him by her

And cover'd o'er in a gore of blood.

You rise up early tomorrow morning

And straight-way to the brake you know

And then you'll find my body lying

All cover'd o'er in a gore of blood.

Then she rose early the very next morning

Unto the garden brake she went

And there she found her own dear jewel

All cover'd o'er in a gore of blood.

She took her kerchief from her pocket

And wiped his eyes though he was blind;

Because he was her own true lover,

My own true lover and friend of mine.

And since my brothers have been so cruel

To take your tender sweet life away,

One grave shall hold us both together

And along with you in death I'll stay.